One of the greatest American War movies of the '60s

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 2017)

This is, without doubt, one of the greatest American war movies made in the '60s, along with ''Battle of the Bulge'' and ''Where Eagles Dare''. It's well told from the different sides (Americans, British, French and Germans) and everyone talks in his own language (the French speak in French and the Germans speak in German).
The title refers to the D-DAY (6 June 1944), the day the Allied assault the Nazi-dominated France.
The movie can be divided in two parts. The first, with Americans and British that complain about the bad weather and about the ships and planes, and the decision of General Eisenhower to go ahead with the invasion on June 6, with the background sound of a clock: meanwhile also the Germans want to take some time because of the bad weather. The French Resistance receive their coded messages by radio and then they start their sabotage plans.
The second part starts when the two sides, Allies and Germans, are engaged in battle. My favorite part was the Pointe Du Hoc, because is full of action and thrilling scenes and with few actors that I like; Robert Wagner, George Segal, Fabian, Tommy Sands and even singer Paul Anka, that also wrote the theme song.
The scenery is great, from the beginning to the end; the beaches, that today are one of the most famous of France's camping sites, the farms with some animals (cows, doves and rabbits) that are indifferent of the soldiers, and Pointe Du Hoc itself.
The music score is also great, especially in the ending credits.
Shot in black-and-white and CinemaScope, The Longest Day is the excellent chronicle of the D-DAY, from the preparation till the ending of the beach invasion, with a remarkable line said here by Robert Mitchum ''Take me up the hill, son''.
In three hours Zanuck and the three directors (Annakin, Marton and Wicki) managed to tell all the scope of one day in every minimum detail, and with the greatest all-star cast ever seen in a war-movie. There are some, like Rod Steiger, Henry Fonda or a pre-007 Sean Connery that vanish after few scenes, but they are also convincing. While the biggest parts, like Robert Mitchum or John Wayne's, are also good, and surrounded by some famous supporting actors of those years. Wayne's co-stars are Steve Forrest, Tom Tryon and Stuart Whitman, while Mitchum's co-stars are Eddie Albert, Ray Danton and Jeffrey Hunter.
I want to talk about the roles and the actors that, for me, were the best in the movie:

Irina Demick as Janine Boitard, the SEXY French Resistance leader, that succeed to distract two German sentries.

Robert Mitchum as Brigadier General Norman Cota, that never stops to give orders and rallying his men. His lines were the best, and were said with a right dose of cynicism.

Tommy Sands as an US Army Ranger.He is the most bold of the Rangers and eventually kills some Germans in pacific state while he keeps company to a wounded Robert Wagner.

Eddie Albert as Col. Thompson. He reassures Mitchum saying that the rain will stop. Eventually he is convinced by Mitchum about the fact that the men have to battle despite the heavy casualties.

Stuart Whitman as Lt. Sheen. He is useful for John Wayne's men because he gives indications about the locations of the German outposts.

Sal Mineo as Pvt. Martini. A brief role because he is killed in action.

Sean Connery as Private Flanagan. A loudmouth soldier and always besides him Norman Rossington. Trivia: After this movie Connery became the first actor to play James Bond in ''Dr. No''.

Henry Fonda as Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Brigadier General that arrives with the first landing craft at Omaha Beach.

John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort, who would participate in war actions and wouldn't stop to give orders to his men broken foot or not. He is the best actor in the movie.

I always watch this movie every 6 of June, the anniversary of the D-DAY. It's one of the best American war movies ever made, second only to ''Saving Private Ryan''. It also won two Oscars, for Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects. And watching this movie, even multiple times is a great experience. Must-see for all war movie fans!